Thank You Veterans

Frank Borelli
Editor-in-Chief
Officer.com

First and foremost, THANK YOU VETERANS!. As America wakes up and starts her day this Wednesday, November 11th, 2009, it behooves each and every one of us to be thankful for - and express our appreciation to - the military service veterans of the United States. If you look around they probably aren't hard to find. Just look for the guy standing a little taller than those slouching around him. Look for the guy you've seen a couple times each week, never spoken to, but realized his hair is always cut and he's always clean shaven. Look for the woman who stands out in your mind as competent and slightly bold - as if she knows she can take charge of a situation and will if need be. Look for those stickers on the back windows of what is often a pick-up truck or an SUV: the Army logo; the Marine Corps emblem; the Air Force seal; the Navy's logo; the Coast Guard's unique design. Some of them won't be as easily recognized: how many of you have seen a pair of yellow foot prints on a sticker and not known what it was? There's probably a Marine in that vehicle, or the relative of one. Those yellow footprints will never be forgotten by the Marine recruits who stand on them as they're "welcomed" to basic training. Or it might be a parachute with wings... emblematic of our airborne troops. A helicopter with wings? Air Assault soldiers. Truth be told, you'll probably have a pretty good chance of finding a veteran in many of the police or deputy's cruisers you find yourself behind (or in front of). At least one agency I know used to have about a 60% population of service veterans, and it's only natural that they would. Veterans tend to make excellent cops. They already understand the military / rank structure. They already have a strong sense of self-discipline. They already understand the need for and pride in a professional appearance. They already have proven their ability to perform under stressful and dangerous circumstances. They already have shown their dedication to duty and a commitment to service. Many of them have sacrificed personally in some way to do the right thing. Today - and for that matter every day - I ask you to look around. Pay a bit more attention. Reach out your hand and say THANK YOU to our service veterans. To all my brother and sister veterans I extend my thanks, appreciation and honor. Without you our country wouldn't be half as great as it is today.